Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) has condemned the Department of State Services’ (DSS) assertion that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele financed terrorism in the nation.
In a statement signed by the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark and other leaders of Afenifere, Ohaeneze Ndigbo, the Middle Belt Forum, the allegation is “a shameful disgrace to the Buhari Administration and the Country, and it is capable of unsettling the fragile socio-economic tractions of the Country.”
Recall that the DSS had obtained an Ex-parte Order from the Federal High Court, Abuja, to arrest and detain Godwin Emefiele; an act which SMBLF described as a terrible disservice to the Nigerian State and a stain on her reputation abroad.
Questioning the evidence of the claim, the forum stated that if the DSS’ allegation was indeed true, they should have presented the matter to President Muhammadu Buhari for appropriate action.
SMBLF averred that the actions of Emefiele are nothing, but directives and instructions of the President and that the CBN Governor has been doing everything to salvage the nation’s economy through several intervention schemes.
“This call has become necessary, as we approach the 2023 General Elections, and in view of the reported recent, untidy attempt, by the Department of State Services (DSS) to surreptitiously obtain an ex-parte Order from the Federal High Court, Abuja, to arrest and detain the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
“The action of the Department of State Services is not only a Judicial travesty, but also a grave disservice to the Nigerian State, and a mortification of her image internationally.
“It is unthinkable that the DSS would so recklessly and casually, accuse Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, of “financing terrorism” and involvement in “Economic Crimes of National Security dimension”.
“This is not only baffling, but also a shameful disgrace to the Buhari Administration and the Country, and it is capable of unsettling the fragile socio-economic tractions of the Country.
“What is the evidence that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, is involved in “Terrorism Financing”?
“If the allegations against the CBN Governor are genuine, why didn’t the DSS present its findings to the President for consideration and necessary action?
“It is common knowledge that the Governor the Central Bank, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has been carrying out Mr. President’s directives and instructions religiously.
“We wonder whether it is those instructions given to him by the President, which he carries out that make him to be a “Terrorism Sponsor”? Or, are there personal actions and activities jhe has carried out without the President’s approval and instruction?
“The CBN Governor has been doing everything to salvage the National Economy, with several Intervention Schemes in Agriculture and SMEs, etc, to ensure that individuals, households and businesses across all sectors of the economy, received support to sustain their operations and livelihoods, especially during COVID, and even post-COVID, era.
“It was thwarting that the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, practically “apple-polished” certain sections of the Country with the apex bank’s intervention schemes to boost production of farm commodities, providing smallholder farmers with inputs, in kind and cash, particularly in the Northern States that supposedly have comparative advantage to produce rice, maize, wheat, cotton, tomato, roots and tubers like cassava, potatoes, yam, etc.
“The CBN interventions have reportedly led to huge drop in rice importation, in recent years; which has been publicized widely as one the key achievements of the Buhari administration. Sadly, the same Godwin Emefiele is now being labeled a “Terrorism Sponsor”. What a bizarre shame!
“It is bemusing that Mr. Yusuf Bichi (the Director General of the Department of State Services), and his backers, presumed all citizens have been “conquered”.
“Allegedly acting on a petition, the DSS secretly filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on 7 December, 2022, under Section 66 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022 to request a court order for Mr. Emefiele’s arrest and detention for 60 days, in the first instance.
“But, the respected judge, Justice John Tsoho, who is the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in his ruling on 9th December 2022, rejected the application on the grounds that the DSS failed to provide sufficient evidence to warrant the issuance of an arrest warrant against Mr. Emefiele.
“SMBLF applauds the courage and bravery of the judge; it is gratifying to know that there are still men and women of character and integrity, who can firmly defend and uphold justice, without fear or favour. By this singular act, Justice John Tsoho has written his name in gold, and shall remain indelible in the hearts and minds of all patriotic Nigerians and people of goodwill across the world.
“The judge, in his ruling, also inferred that there was no seeming indication that the President approved the action of the DSS. Now, if indeed, President Muhammadu Buhari was not aware of the plot, it is, the more inexcusable to allow Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi remain a moment longer as Director-General of the Department of State Services.
“Accordingly, SMBLF demands that he should be relieved of his position, without any delay, for being disloyal and discourteous to the President and the nation. Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi should also be made to render an unreserved public apology to the Country, and to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
“We are not in the least surprised at the way and manner Mr. Yusuf Bichi has been running the DSS since he assumed that Office; his appointment as Director General of the DSS itself, in the first place, left much to be desired,” the statement read in part.”
The group, therefore, called on President Buhari to immediately sack the DG of DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, as well as put his ‘house’ in order.
